The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) hosted the Agribusiness Summit 2025 at Hotel Taj Palace on Monday, where Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and veteran cooperator and IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani, among others, were present.
Calling for a transformative approach in India’s agricultural ecosystem, Chouhan announced that the government is initiating an extensive consultation process to rethink and restructure agricultural strategies.
“We are going to hold a national-level deliberation on agriculture. I want to take the Agriculture Ministry out of Krishi Bhavan and into the fields of our farmers,” he said, inviting experts, scientists, startups and industry leaders to contribute their ideas.
Chouhan stressed the need to correct the sharp disparity between prices received by farmers and prices paid by consumers. “Farmers sell their produce at extremely low prices, but it becomes expensive by the time it reaches consumers. There must be a limit to this gap, there should be parity for the benefit of both farmers and consumers.”
The Minister also raised concerns over substandard pesticides and fake fertilizers, calling them one of the biggest problems facing farmers. “Quality farm inputs must reach farmers. Industry must take the lead in ensuring this,” he urged.
Highlighting new initiatives beyond MSP, Chouhan said the government has expanded the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for horticulture crops. “If prices fall below a set threshold, we will transfer the difference between the model rate and actual selling price directly to farmers’ accounts.”
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has introduced several initiatives to boost agricultural growth, and the Summit serves as a vital platform to advance that vision.
Sanghani added, “If we prioritize scientific nutrient management, nano fertilizers, organic manure, and farmer training, it is possible to triple India’s agriculture GDP. This will be a combined outcome of farmer effort, effective policies, cooperatives, and scientific innovation.”
He called for collective action to secure the country’s prosperity and well-being.
The event saw participation from APEDA Secretary Dr. Sudhanshu, Verdesian MD R.K. Goyal, NAFED Director Ashok Thakur, and senior PHDCCI and industry leaders.
The Summit concluded with commitments from industry, cooperatives, and policymakers to collaborate in driving agricultural innovation and ensuring fair returns for farmers.
In a tweet, Dileep Sanghani wrote:”I attended the Agri Business Summit organised by PHDCCI at Taj Palace, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The event was attended by PHDCCI Agriculture Committee Chairman R. G. Agrawal, PHDCCI CEO Dr. Ranjit Mehta, NITI Aayog member Dr. Ramesh Chand, N. N. Gupta, Dhanuka Group’s Mahendra Dhanuka and Rahul Dhanuka, Gujarat BJP Yuva Morcha Vice President Manish Sanghani, along with several other dignitaries”, wrote Sanghani.
